Things to Do in Chile in December

December weather, activities, events & insider tips

December Weather in Chile

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Is December Right for You?

Advantages

Peak summer weather with 14+ hours of daylight - ideal for outdoor activities from 6am to 10pm without worrying about early darkness
Perfect weather for Patagonia - December is the only month when Torres del Paine hiking trails are fully accessible with wildflowers in bloom and minimal snow
Festival season in full swing - Fiesta de La Tirana (December 12-16) brings 200,000+ pilgrims to the Atacama, while summer festivals fill Santiago's parks
Wine harvest season finale with exclusive tastings - December marks the end of harvest with special 'vendimia' experiences unavailable other times of year

Considerations

Peak tourist season means accommodation prices increase 40-60% and popular sites like Easter Island require bookings 3+ months ahead
Extreme heat in northern regions - Atacama Desert reaches 30°C+ (86°F+) by midday, making afternoon exploration uncomfortable
Summer crowds at major attractions - Torres del Paine receives 40% of annual visitors in December-February, requiring advanced reservations for everything

Best Activities in December

Torres del Paine Patagonia Trekking

December is the absolute best month for Patagonia - all trails are snow-free, lupins bloom across the landscape, and you get 17+ hours of daylight for hiking. Weather is most stable with average temperatures of 15°C (59°F) and minimal rainfall. This is when locals take their annual leave to visit Patagonia.

Booking Tip: Book refugios and campsites minimum 4 months ahead - they sell out completely for December. Full W-trek costs $800-1,200 including accommodation. Day hikes range $150-300 with transport from Puerto Natales.

Atacama Desert Stargazing and Salt Flat Tours

December offers the clearest skies for astronomical observation with new moon periods perfect for stargazing. Salt flats have minimal water, creating mirror effects at sunrise. Avoid midday heat (30°C+/86°F+) by booking sunrise tours starting 4:30am or sunset tours starting 4pm.

Booking Tip: Multi-day packages typically $600-900 including accommodation in San Pedro de Atacama. Book stargazing tours for nights around new moon. Avoid afternoon tours - heat becomes dangerous.

Valparaíso Street Art and Coastal Exploration

Perfect coastal weather with temperatures around 20°C (68°F) and ocean breezes. December is when local artists update murals before summer tourist season, so street art is at its freshest. Coastal walks are comfortable all day without northern Chile's extreme heat.

Booking Tip: Walking tours typically $25-45 per person for 3-4 hours. Book morning tours (9am-12pm) to avoid afternoon crowds from Santiago day-trippers who arrive after lunch.

Central Valley Wine Harvest Experiences

Late harvest season means exclusive access to 'vendimia' experiences - grape picking, crushing, and tasting wines that won't be bottled for years. December weather is perfect for vineyard visits with warm days 24°C (75°F) and cool evenings. Many wineries offer harvest lunches only available December-March.

Booking Tip: Harvest experiences cost $80-150 per person including lunch and tastings. Book directly with wineries for authentic experiences. Avoid weekends when Santiago residents crowd popular valleys.

Lake District Volcano Hiking and Water Activities

Lakes reach their warmest temperature (18°C/64°F) making swimming and water sports comfortable. Volcano hiking conditions are optimal with snow-free trails up to 2,000m (6,560 ft). Long daylight hours allow full-day activities without rushing.

Booking Tip: Volcano climbing tours $120-200 for full day including guide and equipment. Lake activities $50-80 per day. Book accommodation in Pucón 6+ weeks ahead as it's Chile's summer playground.

Easter Island Archaeological Tours

December offers the most stable weather for outdoor moai exploration with minimal rainfall and comfortable temperatures 23°C (73°F). This is breeding season for seabirds, adding wildlife viewing to cultural sites. Sunrise/sunset at ceremonial sites has perfect visibility.

Booking Tip: Flights from Santiago $800-1,200 in December - book minimum 3 months ahead. Island tours $80-120 per day. Park entry requires advance online reservation ($80 for foreigners).

December Events & Festivals

December 12-16

Fiesta de La Tirana

Chile's largest religious festival in the Atacama Desert attracts 200,000+ pilgrims with indigenous Andean and Catholic traditions. Elaborate devil dancer costumes, traditional music, and 24-hour celebrations. Free to attend but accommodation within 100km (62 miles) books out months ahead.

Late December

Festival de Viña del Mar

Pre-festival events and venue preparation begin in December for February's main event. December offers behind-the-scenes tours of the famous amphitheater and rehearsal viewings of local artists preparing for South America's biggest music festival.

Essential Tips

What to Pack

High SPF sunscreen (50+) and wide-brimmed hat - UV index reaches 11+ in Atacama Desert and reflects off Patagonian glaciers

Layered clothing system for 20°C+ (36°F+) temperature swings - shorts for Santiago afternoon, fleece for Patagonian evening

Waterproof hiking boots for Patagonia - trails remain muddy from spring snowmelt despite being snow-free

Lightweight long pants and long sleeves - protection from sun exposure and evening mosquitoes near lakes

Portable water bottles (2+ liters/68+ fl oz capacity) - essential in Atacama where dehydration occurs rapidly

Power bank and universal adapter - long daylight hours mean more photo opportunities draining batteries faster

Light rain jacket - afternoon mountain storms develop quickly in Patagonia despite low rainfall averages

Warm sleeping bag rated to 5°C (41°F) - Patagonian nights drop significantly even in summer

Polarized sunglasses - essential for glacier reflection and high-altitude glare above 3,000m (9,840 ft)

Quick-dry clothing fabrics - high humidity means cotton takes hours to dry after washing or sweating

Insider Knowledge

Start Patagonia activities early (6-7am) - afternoon winds pick up consistently after 2pm making hiking and photography difficult

Book internal flights during morning hours - afternoon thermal currents cause turbulence, especially to Easter Island

Carry cash in small bills - many Patagonian refugios and Atacama villages don't accept cards, and ATMs are 100+ km (62+ miles) apart

Download offline maps before leaving cities - cell coverage disappears completely in Torres del Paine and Atacama backcountry